Defiant Simon Goodwin insists he has ‘no behavioural issues’ after bombshell report that AFL boss Gil McLachlan said Demons could’ve SACKED him over claims he drank and gambled with players
- Demons players Steven May and Jake Melksham scrapped in public this week
- It comes after two consecutive losses from the premiership winners
- A 2021 report has revealed that coach Simon Goodwin was being investigated
- He was almost sacked for his behaviour and the AFL boss had to step in
- Now Goodwin has denied any wrong-doing and is adamant the club is united
Under-siege Melbourne Demons coach Simon Goodwin insists his playing group remains united and said there were no issues surrounding his own behaviour despite a damning report that AFL boss Gil McLachlan said he could’ve been sacked last year.
Goodwin spoke on Friday after a tumultuous week that included a loss to the Sydney Swans, allegations of past and present presidents criticising coaches and players and a physical altercation between teammates Steven May and Jake Melksham at an upmarket Melbourne restaurant.
Goodwin looks on prior to the round 10 AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Melbourne Demons at Marvel Stadium
May was consequently suspended for the Queen’s Birthday clash against Collingwood while Melksham will require surgery on an infected hand after punching May. Both will be required to carry out community service.
Goodwin insists there is no bad blood between players who lined up in the 2021 AFL premiership-winning side and those who missed out, and that the club remains united.
‘We’ve addressed it, we’ve given the sanctions out and we will move forward and learn from it,’ he said.
However, there have been allegations made surrounding Goodwin’s own behaviour including claims of bullying and drinking and gambling with players. Goodwin flatly rejected those claims.
‘It’s an irrelevant story. I’ve got no behavioural issues,’ he said.
‘You guys can join the dots and work out where it’s coming from.’
However, it has been revealed the ructions at the Demons were so great that AFL boss Gillon McLachlan had to intervene in a February 2021 meeting that included AFL commission chairman Richard Goyder, then-Demons president Glen Bartlett and club vice-president Mohan Jesudason.
Goodwin insists that the playing group remains united despite the recent revelations
The Demons conducted an investigation into claims Goodwin was drinking and gambling with players, bullied a team doctor and other behavioural issues and considered sacking the coach ahead of the triumphant 2021 premiership-winning campaign.
That resulted in the meeting with AFL bosses in February where McLachlan reportedly offered to read the riot act to Demons chairman Gary Pert, who was allegedly threatening to undermine the investigation into Goodwin.
A few weeks after being unanimously appointed by the board for a 12-month term, Bartlett abruptly stepped down as president in early April 2021.
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